University of Central Arkansas

College Degree Finder

School Overview

TOP

100

Overall

In-State Tuition

A-List Ranking

#

16

Overall

Out-of-State Tuition

A-List Ranking

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA), located in Conway, Arkansas, is the fourth largest university in Arkansas, the third largest college system in Arkansas, and one of the larger universities in the United States. This state-run higher education institution has several distinctions and honors that make it stand out from the pack. For starters, the university runs a prestigious UCA Honors College which has received national recognition for its excellence. The Carnegie Foundation stated that the UCA Honors College was one of the most widely imitated programs in the country. The former U.S. Secretary of Education, Terrell Bell, described the Honors College as an Ivy League education at a bargain basement price. Small classes, high SAT and ACT scores, URGE and TAG grants for students, distinguished faculty, and amazing graduate school and medical school admission rates are also trademarks of UCA.

Rankings

In 2006, U.S. News & World Report ranked UCA 61st for academic excellence in the South. That was the first year UCA ranked and it was the only public university in Arkansas to be ranked in that category. In 2009, the U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges ranked UCA 54th in Master’s Universities in the South. Finally, UCA ranked 23rd for the Top Public Schools in Master’s Universities in the South.

Degree Programs and Colleges

Beyond these honors, UCA is also highly respected for its programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Education. The university is home to four Residential Colleges and several other reputable colleges. Altogether UCA colleges offers over 80 undergraduate majors. UCA colleges include: the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Fine Arts and Communications, the College of Education, and the College of Business.

Athletics

Men’s athletic teams are known as the Bears and women’s are known as the Sugar Bears. The Bears and Sugar Bears play in the NCAA at the Division I level as a member of the Southland Conference, with 14 varsity sports involving more than 400 student athletes.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

UCA offers an array of resources to help students defray costs: loans, grants, scholarships and work-study opportunities. All financial aid applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Library System

The Torreyson Library’s stated mission is to serve as the center for illectual life at the university, inviting all community members to take advantage of its resources. Its electronic database offers quick access to all library materials.

Student Housing

There are three residential clusters. Cluster One is made up of Hughes Hall, Arkansas Hall, Short/Denney Hall, State Hall and Farris Hall. Cluster Two is comprised of Bear Hall, New Hall, Baridon Hall, Western Heights Apartments, Stadium Park Apartments and Bear Village Apartments. Cluster Three is made up of Bernard Hall, Carmichael Hall, Conway Hall, Erbach Apartments, Oak Tree Apartments, Torreyson Apartments and Baldridge Family Housing Apartments.

University of Central Arkansas Programs

See the degree programs that are offered at University of Central Arkansas.

Degree Name

Cert

Assoc

Bach

Mast

Doct

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

1

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

1

1

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

9

2

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

3

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

2

1

Education

5

9

8

English Language and Literature/Letters

3

2

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

2

1

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

1

3

1

Health Professions and Related Programs

1

9

5

2

History

1

1

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Service

4

2

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

1

1

Library Science

1

Mathematics and Statistics

1

2

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

3

1

Natural Resources and Conservation

1

Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies

1

1

Philosophy and Religious Studies

2

Physical Sciences

2

Psychology

1

1

3

1

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

1

1

Social Sciences

1

6

1

Visual and Performing Arts

1

6

2

Grand total

14

3

68

33

4

* Based on programs that produced 2016-2017 graduates

Online Programs & Distance Learning

See the distance education degree programs that are offered at University of Central Arkansas.

Degree Name

Cert

Assoc

Bach

Mast

Doct

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

1

Education

3

3

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

1

Health Professions and Related Programs

1

2

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

1

Social Sciences

1

1

Grand total

5

9

* Based on programs that produced 2016-2017 graduates

Tuition & Financial Aid

See what it costs to enroll at University of Central Arkansas and how many students are receiving scholarships, grants, or loans as financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition.

Undergraduate Student Tuition

Average tuition and fees for academic year:

Tuition and Fees

2016-2017

In-state

$8,224

Out-of-state

$14,447

Books and supplies

$1,200

Graduate Student Tuition

Average tuition and fees for academic year:

Tuition and Fees

2016-2017

In-state

$5,881

Out-of-state

$10,475

Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2015-2016

Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students

Type of Aid

Number Receiving Aid

% Receiving Aid

Avg. Amt. of Aid

Any student financial aid

1,977

100%

–

Grant or scholarship aid

1,926

97%

$7,316

Student loan aid

1,140

57%

$7,588

All Undergraduate Students

Type of Aid

Number Receiving Aid

% Receiving Aid

Avg. Amt. of Aid

Grant or scholarship aid

8,271

84%

$7,315

Federal student loans

4,994

51%

$7,701

Admissions & Enrollment

See the admission requirements for University of Central Arkansas. Find out how many students apply and how many are accepted.
View a graphical breakdown of the gender, age, and ethnicity of currently enrolled University of Central Arkansas students.

Undergraduate Admissions, Fall 2017

Total

Male

Female

Number of applicants

4,922

1,894

3,028

Percent admitted

100%

87%

92%

Percent admitted who enrolled

38%

38%

38%

Admissions Considerations

Required

Recommended

Optional

Secondary school GPA

Secondary school rank

Secondary school record

Completion of college-preparatory program

Recommendations

Formal demonstration of competencies

Admission test scores

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

University of Central Arkansas Enrollment, Fall 2017

Total Enrollment

11,487

Undergraduate enrollment

9,616

Graduate enrollment

1,871

Undergraduate Attendance

Undergraduate Gender

Undergraduate Age

Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity

Undergraduate Distance Education

Undergraduates taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education

Graduate Distance Education

Graduate students taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education

University of Central Arkansas Accreditation

This institution is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission

Specialized institution accreditations:

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

Didactic Program in Dietetics

American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

College Online

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